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12/07/2023

I whispered to Santa “he is blind and autistic and is very interested in Santa”. He said “say no more” and immediately got down on the floor to greet my little man.
He talked to Matthew for a long time. Let him feel all over him. Told him to pull his beard, feel his hat and talked about his red suit. He asked Matthew if he wanted to feel anything and Matthew said “your eyes that twinkle” (from the poem ‘twas the night before Christmas) so santa let him touch all over his eyes for as long as Matthew wanted.
Then Santa said have you ever felt a real reindeer. Santa then carried him over to the display area. And had Matthew pet the taxidermy reindeer they had set up. It was great. My heart was full seeing Matthew so interested.

Credits goes to the respective author ~
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03/11/2021

The most-deserved belt in history was given to Bridger Walker the little boy who saved his little sister from a German shepherd dog. He had 90 stitches all over his body, but saved his three-year-old sister from certain death. And had stated “If anyone has to die, it's me, I'm the big brother” The World Boxing Council 🥊 (WBC) recognized him as a full-time world champion. He has the official WBC historical record, of being the best fighter in the world for one day. TOTAL RESPECT!!

03/01/2021

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Our Podcast and platform is dedicated to empowering and inspiring people on their healing journeys. Join us as we interview everyday experts who share the ways they've harnessed the power inside themselves to improve the quality of their lives and the health of their minds. You will hear people shar...

01/26/2021

I was not able to speak in sentences until I was 12... and now at age 19 I have the ability to speak in front of thousands of people sharing what it's like to have autism. If you're trying to understand someone with autism, let me help!

12/04/2020

All has he ever wanted was a chance.
And if he was given that chance, they’d never forget him.

They said Jake Pratt of Vestavia Hills would never contribute.
They said he’d never make his high school football team.
They said he’d never graduate from high school.
They said he’d never get his driver’s permit.
They said he’d never graduate from college.

Jake Pratt has proven them all wrong, and now I have the pleasure of announcing some big news!

Jake has landed a job at UPS!!!
He’s not driving a truck, but he is working up to 8 hours a day running packages to our doorsteps.
He’s walking some 15,000 steps a day.
He’s doing it with a smile.
Yes, he's now "Jake From UPS".

Oh, and that’s in addition to Jake working maintenance at a golf course from 6-10 am seven days a week.
That big backpack blower?
Piece of cake.

Yes, Jake Pratt is making his lunch the night before each workday.
Placing his clothes out.
Turning in early.
Ready to remind us that he will not be forgotten.

All he ever wanted was a chance, and the UPS folks have given him as chance.

Now, this 21-year-old with Down syndrome is showing the world what people with special needs can accomplish with hard work.
This young man is helping to make our Christmas merrier.

My heart is full as my pride in Jake runs deep.

Please congratulate Jake, and if you see him on his route, give him a yell.

All has he ever wanted was a chance.
And if he was given that chance, they’d never forget him.

I have to admit, "Jake From UPS" is going to be tough to forget.

Please share this great news! https://bit.ly/3fZzF1G

Pictures from Kathy and Jay Pratt

UPS Clemson University Rick Karle WVTM 13
The Kelly Clarkson Show Alabama Football
Auburn Tigers Southeastern Conference Alabama Crimson Tide Fans

10/01/2020

My best friend in grade school stuttered, she was teased and I defended her.
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I did not write this but it explains a lot about last night. - I also do not know who wrote this - but - I agree. My own Dad was a stutterer. King George, father of Queen Elizabeth II, was also a stutterer. (Movie - "The King's Speech")

"Joe Biden is a stutterer. Like many others, he has overcome the disability by understanding it and exercising extraordinary perseverence and discipline. If you know and love a stutterer and you watched the presidential debate last night, within minutes it became obvious what was going on. Abusive tone of voice, rapid fire interruptions, zigzagging change of topic, personal insult and humiliation, and family pain are all tripwires that scramble a stutterer's ability to speak.
"There was nothing unplanned or spontaneous in the President's strategy. They prepped him to attack Joe's disability hoping that by triggering his stuttering they might deceive an audience unfamiliar with the disability into thinking that Joe was stupid, weak, uncertain, confused, or lost to dementia.
If you have ever gotten in the face of bully on the playground protecting a stutterer that you love, the game being played last night was nakedly and painfully obvious. If you watched with glee while it happened, then you haven't made much progress since the playground.
"However, the stutterer that I love taught me early on that he did not so much need my protection. He fought back by owning and integrating his disability into who he is. He learned how to stand his ground as master of perseverence, knowledge, and empathy. Without his example, I would not have recognized the game that was being played last night. I would not have been able to recognize the subtle but intense struggle against the disability that Joe was winning at the same time he was struggling to advance his positions on the issues in the midst of a rhetorical s**t storm."